About

Hi, you landed on Redheaded Blackbelt. I own it. That’s me to the left, Kym Kemp. I do everything from photography to selling ads to writing stories.

I’m totally in love with the Emerald Counties, that incredible place south of the Oregon border and east of the Pacific Ocean that is home to redwoods, rolling hills, Victorian mansions, hippie homesteads, wildflowers, and wildlife.

Yes, I really did get my black belt (in Tang Soo Do) and I used to have red hair before I became a news reporter. (Putting this colorful world in black and white made my hair gray.) I live about 45 minutes from the nearest town and spend way too much time on my computer getting the latest information to my readers. (For something I’m really proud of click here.)

Here’s someone else you should know. This is Oliver Cory. He began working for Redheaded Blackbelt when we first started out.

He is one of the finest, young photographers in northwestern California. He also has a knack for technology. If we’ve got a fancy graphic, Oliver is likely the person who created it. If there’s a quick way to get a photo from the scene to the person writing the story, he’ll come up with it.

He also writes quite a few stories but his real love is the camera. He’s mostly in Eureka but he can also be found throughout the Humboldt Bay region.

Stormy Taylor is often out and about collecting information and taking photos of breaking news in the Humboldt Bay area. She’s got an eye for composing images quickly–a must when the story is erupting around her.

She grew up in Trinidad and spent her entire life in Humboldt County. A mother of two, she’s also a member of the confederated tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon.

Mark McKenna’s first real photojournalism experience came when he photographed a child pedestrian hit in front of his school and he sold the image. He honed his skills as a photojournalist by attending San Francisco State University as a journalism major graduating in 2000.

In addition to teaching photojournalism at Humboldt State University, Mark is represented by a photo agency you have probably never heard of, Zuma Press, and he operates a photo and graphic design studio in Old Town Eureka. He’s always looking for the unusual while photographing the routine.

Huge Help

Bobbi Wisby

And here’s our behind the scene person Bobbi Wisby. She’s our website developer and computer wrangler–she makes us look pretty. We tell her what we want and she makes it happen. (Go here for more of her stuff.)

Contact us

Drop me an email and let us know what you’re thinking about at mskymkemp@gmail.com or you can send a message to anyone here by putting their name in the subject heading and sending it to RedheadedBlackbelt@gmail.com.

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103 comments

I had heard something about CBD oils and Trump. Kept looking, and I found it. it is on ProBrewer.com .
Mr. Mark Silva posted it. He and his wife want to use CBD in their beer, as well as THC.
It says that Trump would support a congressional effort to remove the federal govts ban on cannabis. Trump, speaking to a group of reporters, on or around June 20th, 2018, said that he would support Senator Gardner, one of the lead sponsors of a bipartisan effort to allow states to legalize cannabis without federal intervention. This is from the LA Times. I am hoping I got this right, that’s why I sent it to you. If I have it wrong, please don’t hurt me, lol. But I do want to be right on this, it’s a big deal

i want to say thank you for you kind word you relly liked the last 5 lines well it is a start for me i ben racking my braine to come up with somthing new but im goin to get of of hear and go to bed for the night

hi Kym, a huge convoy went out road 502, heading south and going past the Kettenpom store, 8 to 10 rigs. They could be going out towards Long Ridge, or towards Covelo. Lots of chopper activity Wednesday. I have been told they have chipper and everything, I find out more, will update right away.

Thank you for your blog on John’s clean up efforts. We really appreciate it. Can you send me an e-mail so that I may talk to you some more. I wasn’t able to find any contact info on you off of here. We’d like it if you could put down that people can make donations through paypal from our site, and a few other things.

Well done with today’s coverage. You managed to keep pretty good tabs on BOTH of the local crises. The whole thing is very impressive.

Did you just happen to be in the right place at the right time, with the photos of the IRS raid? I’ve been trying to follow the “out of towners” on my scanner, but I think they’re using a secure frequency.

Dave, I’m a long time local and people call me or send me photos. I didn’t take those pics (I wish I would have they are beautiful.

What works for me is to keep on the phone but, if I could, I would be following the feds when they leave this morning. (Hmm, maybe not, I’m not much for conflict and I can’t see them being too happy about that but, if I were brave that is what I would do.)

Oh my dear, but how brave you are! Brave to write, brave to love, and brave to be honest. These are the marks of a true warrior. I appreciate, support and love your energy. You seem to be a truly lovely human being.

Hi Kym, thanks for the inspiration! My name is Eric Sligh, I am 29 years old from Ukiah. I have a degree in French from HSU and recently completed the single subject credential program there as well. I did my student teaching at Eureka High School during the past year. I have also put together a print publication called Humboldt Grow. I asm still trying to figure out what the magazine is supposed to be. It kind of looks like a comic book to me sometimes. I have a website, http://www.humboldtgrow.com where you can view pdfs of the magazine. I am really excited about being finished with school so that I can become completely enveloped in the local social/political scene. I really hope that I can join the ranks of all of the quality independent news sources we have been blessed with. – Eric

Hey Kym, what do you know about the feds raiding Apex North and AEE Solar in the Meadows Business Park last Friday? There has been no mention of it in any of the news. Hopefully Kmud will have something tonight. Do you anything about it?

Hi Kym… I like the new format after being a bit shocked… Didn’t get the comment balloon for awhile but I finally figured it out. Thanks for all your work… Look out! You’ve become a primary news source, must be a lot of work!

Hey Kym, I don’t know when you changed your blog (I always read it in RSS) but it looks great! Way easier to read and nice design. You are really doing a great job keeping us informed of Humboldt County issues – and your photography is beautiful!

Dear Kim,
I am a writer from Brazil researching for a book on drug culture, the future of drug policy and especially marijuana. I am in the middle of a trip to several countries to understand how humanity’s approach to cannabis is changing. I am planning to go to Northern CA next week – I am in SF right now. Do you think I could meet you there?
best
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Kym, I am a relative of people in your area and was concerned of this practice in your area with PG&E putting in smart meters. You should see this post on youtube. You may want to post something about this to your fellow Humbolt County residents. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JNFr_j6kdI
You can request that this not be done to a residence.

me and my wife are trying to relocate to humbolt or any surrounding area, i am 26 and she is 23, we are very hard workers and very respectable, if any one can help us with some work or housing let me know. my name is justin 765-225-7617

I him looking to come down to Humbolt and see if I gin find a job. It will be my first faraway trip. I would like to go to ensure damn but can not afford it so I guess California Humbolt is my best option. I him self efficient with my tenant and I was thinking just to bring my electric bike so I will be traveling cheaply. I him also looking for somewhere to camp why I look for a trimming job my e-mail is insanityinventions@yahoo.com
check out the site http://www.insanityinventions.com/ I him a renewable energy designer using solar panels and other devices I him sort of a mad scientist.

Hi Kym,
I have been so inspired by your blog, and SoHumBorn’s stories, that I have started my own blog. I’m writing about my happy memories of being the child of hippies lucky enough to be raised in the mountains. Thought I’d remind everyone that it isn’t all fear and money . . . Anyway, if you have a minute, please check it out. It’s harmonyinthehills.wordpress.com
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, you come across as wiser than your years. 🙂

Kym, I just wanted to say that I for one am delighted that you chose to leave the Lost Coast Outpost and return here to your own blog. As my Mom taught me if you don’t have anything good to say about someone don’t say anything at all so Ill leave it at that for my feelings about the LCO. Keep up the good work here!

Thank you Kym for all your awesome work!!! I have a friend who lives up at 4-corners right above the Lassics fire, so far she is still OK!! Between the wonderful work of all the firecrews, and the winds have been blowing the other way!!! I look forward to your updates twice a day, thank you so much!! You are awesome!!!

I retired from Navy Civil Service (30 years) after spending six comfortable years in the USAF avionics/autopilot field. Spent my twenties in Garberville area. Don’t like wasting time on politics nor pot, but love any Redwood park. So, I thank a Navy guy for posting a great picture of the greatest Naval Service on planet Earth.

Hi Kym, we are new to the area. Retiring from the Santa Cruz Mountains to Shelter Cove. We love it here. Googled the 101 closure and your site came up near the top. Well done (and sustained I see for over 8 years!) Please let me know if you are interested in including local news from the Cove. Cheers, Cynthia

Cynthia, I love news from all over. For a breaking news story with good photos, I pay $25 which isn’t much but it’s what I can afford. If you would like to send me tips or just talk, my email is mskymkemp@gmail.com.

Kym do you have any updates on the burn victims from the Rio Dell drug lab explosion? Haven’t seen any names or updates on their conditions. Hope they are going to be ok. Thanks for all the great coverage you do on all communities in the area.

p.s your beautiful, and im not gay,.. well actually i am cause im born on a sunday which makes me blyth (hahaha) and gay (hahahaha) oh and bonny, but in the eye of jesus and the rest who love me i am, fact!!!
onlky mediocre pretty though…

It will be 10 years this October. I love it. Also, since about 2012 I’ve gotten some pay. I think I get about $10 per hour according to my latest calculations. I have put up with some crazies but I also get very nice compliments like this one. Thank you.

Kym, our local ISP-ASIS was hacked. Cannot even bring up their web page. Those of us who have email accounts with them are affected. Sally Then said ASIS would be back on line last night, but still no go. Their server is down. Not sure if their being hacked means all of us who were their customers have had our data compromised. When they were hacked before Sally told me it was a former disgruntled employee who was now in Europe. Now she is is still trying evaluate this crisis. Nothing in the media for those of us thinking our equipment is the problem.

My guess is that you do not run your blog honestly. I am saddened to see that you choose to moderate your site to the extent of actually leaving lies in the replies. You know I left several comments that you did not post. Do better, be better, and you’ll feel better and be a better person. My friend SideCar Jonny is rolling in his grave knowing the lack of respect you show to your (NOT REALLY YOURS) public viewers. You can edit all you want. But you KNOW that you lie.

I like how balanced you are Kym, The voice of reason sometimes. I have a hard time controlling my filter sometimes I am also from Alaska and do not always know whats appropriate to say, Just speak my mind. I will try not to offend. Sorry in advance.

All I have to say is I’ve been following Kym for some time now and her and her crew are awesome, she’s right on it, tells it like it is with no bullshit, RHBB is my favorite blog its one of the first places I check on first thing in the morning, I was born and raised in Trinity county, lived in Fortuna for about 10yrs its my 2nd home and Kyms blog keeps me up-dated and in touch with good old Humboldt county..I just want to say Thank You to you Kym and your crew for all your input and dedication, keep up the good work your all awesome and we love it..

Dear Kym and staff,
As another year shoves its way towards us, I would like us to stop and tell those that we love and appreciate how we feel. Thank you for all you do for all of us. I know it’s a tuff job and I couldn’t do it.
I appreciate you and your family for allowing you to do what you do. So many times in life things happen, people move on, leave earth, change jobs and they are no longer in our lives, and I didn’t get the chance to tell them how much I cared for them and all they do. I learned that you have to make those opportunities happen. So I’m thanking you and your staff for all the hard work you have put into 2017! I look forward to 2018 and what that will look like in stories.
I pray for Peace, health and Love for you and your family and friends! May this new year be the best year!
We love ya! We claim you as one of us that loves and sticks up for this crazy, beautiful beloved Community of southern Humboldt. We are like no other little place on the map, and that is why our families settled her. Thanks for making is a better place.
I look forward to 2018!
Know that we love ya and appricate you more than you’ll ever know!

remember when we would race souped up WILLYS on clam beach circa 1969 ? those were days my friend , I thought they would never end ? well they did and today you cant race WILLYS on clam beach and if you do , some acne-face renta-ranger will make you feel HIS POLICE TRUNCHEON !!!

Just a great big thank for all the work you do. I’m (trying to be) retired these days after many years of volunteer work with Beginnings board and the Fire Department and other stuff (homesteading and raising a family and like that), and enough computer work and weekly and monthly column work to understand that your hobby and passion has become your life (and probably sometimes your ball and chain).

Always the first place I go if it is local and important to get as close to the unbiased truth as is possible at the time. One of the things I admire the most about you is how quick you are to admit you got it wrong first time around – always a possibility on fast-breaking stuff – and how quick you are to get it as right as it can be got – which is way harder than it looks to them that ain’t never tried it.

My hat is way off to you.

Gerald

PS A big hi to Stormy – have not seen the word ‘Siletz’ for a long time- my dad graduated from Siletz High in 1929 – spent a summer working on my grandparents dairy farm on the Siletz river in 1950 – learned I never wanted to be a farmer…

Hi, Is your site for online news only? Do you publish in a hard copy newspaper too? I am creating a libguide at the College of the Redwood on local resources and was looking for an good description in several sentences of what you do.

We’re news about Humboldt, Mendocino, Trinity and Del Norte Counties. We cover everything from crime to good news. And, of course, since this is the Emerald Triangle, we carry the latest information important to cannabis farmers.